claim

Everyday

1. To say that something is true, even though others may not believe it or it is not proven. tree →
2. To ask for or take something because you say it belongs to you or you have a right to it (claim your prize, claim your luggage). tree →
3. A statement that something is true. tree →
4. A request for money or something you are owed (an insurance claim). tree →
5. To take a life or cause something to be lost (The fire claimed three houses — formal). tree →

In the lessons

In school, especially in science, reading and debating, a claim is an idea someone says is true, which needs evidence to support it: «claim, evidence, reasoning». In media lessons pupils learn to check claims in adverts and online posts. In everyday life you claim lost property, a prize or bags at the airport. Phrases: claim to be, claim that, make a claim, lay claim to, claim to fame, baggage claim.

Examples

• He claims he saw a ghost in the attic. tree →
• The advert claims this drink makes you run faster — is there any evidence? tree →
• You can claim your lost jumper from the office. tree →
• Our science claim was that plants need light to grow. tree →
• She claimed the last cookie before anyone else could. tree →
• We waited at baggage claim for our suitcases. tree →
• His claim to fame is that he met the Prime Minister. tree →
• Check claims on the internet before you share them. tree →

Note

A claim is not the same as a fact: a claim may be true or false until it is checked. «Claim that…» or «claim to be…». In the USA airports say «baggage claim»; in the UK «baggage reclaim».

In Jewish tradition

In Job, darkness and the shadow of death "claim" a day as their own, meaning they take it as theirs.

Interpretation. Mordell reports that Jewish tradition claims the Sefer Yetzirah came from God to Adam and then to Abraham.

Examples

• 15) As the Arabic numeral system of notation apparently originated from the Selirot philosophy of the Sefer Yetzirah, it is proper to share the view of those who claim the Hebrews as its inventors (E. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• Thus far. it has been impossible to determine tiic ago and authorship of tlic Sefer Yetzirah. .Tcwish tradition claims divine origin for it: it was intrusted by tlie Lord to Adam and after- wards to Abraham***). (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own; let a cloud dwell upon it; let all that maketh black the day terrify it. (Writings JOB.3.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A claim is not the same as a fact: a claim may be true or false until it is checked. «Claim that…» or «claim to be…». In the USA airports say «baggage claim»; in the UK «baggage reclaim».